📖 Meaning
Literally 'buying fine horses at the Golden Terrace.' It alludes to paying a high price to obtain a fine steed, and by extension means being deeply sincere and willing to spare no expense in recruiting worthy talent.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom stems from a story recorded in 'Zhanguo Ce · Yan Ce I' during the Warring States period. After suffering a devastating defeat by the state of Qi, King Zhao of Yan (燕昭王) wished to avenge it and eagerly sought talented men to rebuild his state. His minister Guo Wei (郭隗) advised him with the parable of an ancient king who paid a thousand pieces of gold for the bones of a dead fine horse, thereby proving his sincerity and attracting living superb steeds. King Zhao then built the famed Golden Terrace (黄金台) and treated Guo Wei with exceptional honor, which drew renowned talents such as Yue Yi (乐毅) and Zou Yan (邹衍) to Yan.
💡 Example Usage
公司以金台市骏之诚，广纳天下英才。
With the sincerity of buying fine steeds at the Golden Terrace, the company recruits outstanding talent from all over the world.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 金台市骏
- Pinyin: jīn tái shì jùn
- Literal Translation: golden, platform, buy, fine horse
- Category: Leadership
- Characters: 4